Genomic and Non-Genomic Actions of Glucocorticoids on Adipose Tissue Lipid Metabolism

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are hormones that aid the body under stress by regulating glucose and free fatty acids. GCs maintain energy homeostasis in multiple tissues, including those in the liver and skeletal muscle, white adipose tissue (WAT), and brown adipose tissue (BAT). WAT stores energy as triglycerides, while BAT uses fatty acids for heat generation. The multiple genomic and non-genomic pathways in GC signaling vary with exposure duration, location (adipose tissue depot), and species. Genomic effects occur directly through the cytosolic GC receptor (GR), regulating the expression of proteins related to lipid metabolism, such as ATGL and HSL. Non-genomic effects act through mechanisms often independent of the cytosolic GR and happen shortly after GC exposure. Studying the effects of GCs on adipose tissue breakdown and generation (lipolysis and adipogenesis) leads to insights for treatment of adipose-related diseases, such as obesity, coronary disease, and cancer, but has led to controversy among researchers, largely due to the complexity of the process. This paper reviews the recent literature on the genomic and non-genomic effects of GCs on WAT and BAT lipolysis and proposes research to address the many gaps in knowledge related to GC activity and its effects on disease.     

Do u smoke after txt? Results of a randomised trial of smoking cessation using mobile phone text messaging

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of a mobile phone text messaging smoking cessation programme. Design: Randomised controlled trial Setting: New Zealand Participants: 1705 smokers from throughout New Zealand who wanted to quit, were aged over 15 years, and owned a mobile phone were randomised to an intervention group that received regular, personalised text messages providing smoking cessation advice, support, and distraction, or to a control group. All participants received a free month of text messaging; starting for the intervention group on their quit day to assist with quitting, and starting for the control group at six months to encourage follow up. Follow up data were available for 1624 (95%) at six weeks and 1265 (74%) at six months. Main outcome measures: The main trial outcome was current non-smoking (that is, not smoking in the past week) six weeks after randomisation. Secondary outcomes included current non-smoking at 12 and 26 weeks. Results: More participants had quit at six weeks in the intervention compared to the control group: 239 (28%) v 109 (13%), relative risk 2.20 (95% confidence interval 1.79 to 2.70), p < 0.0001. This treatment effect was consistent across subgroups defined by age, sex, income level, or geographic location (p homogeneity > 0.2). The relative risk estimates were similar in sensitivity analyses adjusting for missing data and salivary cotinine verification tests. Reported quit rates remained high at six months, but there was some uncertainty about between group differences because of incomplete follow up. Conclusions: This programme offers potential for a new way to help young smokers to quit, being affordable, personalised, age appropriate, and not location dependent. Future research should test these findings in different settings, and provide further assessment of long term quit rates.     

Review of WISC-IV advanced clinical interpretation.

Reviews the book, WISC-IV Advanced Clinical Interpretation edited by Lawrence G. Weiss, Donald H. Saklofske, Aurelio Prifitera, and James A. Holdnack (2006). Since the release of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition in 2003 (WISC-IV), a host of accompanying texts have been written with the intent to help clinicians navigate their way through the latest rendition of this gold standard g-factor test. However, what sets this book apart is that it was written by authors heavily involved in the development of the WISC-IV and its associated norms. Wechsler himself stated, regarding the first author, "in so many ways this is his instrument" (Wechsler, 2003, p. iii). With that type of endorsement, perhaps it is appropriate that the authors' express their lofty intention that this book, in conjunction with their earlier tome (WISC-IV Clinical Use and Interpretation, Scientist-Practitioner Perspectives), become the standard reference for all individuals using the WISC-IV. Accordingly, the book aims to provide both graduate students and experienced psychologists with a more nuanced understanding of index and subtest score interpretation. As an initial comment, upon review of all the chapters, the book title appears to be somewhat of a misnomer. As the chapters progress, it appears that the authors intend to prepare readers for an in-depth discussion of the WISC-IV Integrated. Moreover, it appears that most of the new content in this book (i.e., interpretative information not in the Wechsler manuals) seems to be accomplished within the context of the WISC-IV Integrated. This suggests that the content would be more aptly conveyed to potential readers by changing the title to "Advanced Clinical Interpretations with the WISC-IV Integrated." Overall, readability was sometimes hampered by a dense writing style and redundant content. However, for the savvy clinician with time to pursue an advanced level of analysis, this book does bring together information regarding how to interpret the WISC-IV Integrated using both the idiosyncratic context of the child and a myriad of relevant statistical information. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The influence of sodium on liking and consumption of salty food

Excessive sodium (Na) intake has been linked to development of hypertension and related pathologies. In this study, we assessed if the sodium chloride (NaCl) concentration in a prototypical food influences the liking and intake of that food. In study 1, detection and recognition thresholds for NaCl were assessed, and perceived salt intensity and liking for hash browns of varying sodium concentrations (40 mg, 120 mg, 170 mg, and 220 mg Na/100 g) were compared in a lab setting. In study 2, detection and recognition thresholds for NaCl were assessed in a lab setting, and lunches consisting of hash browns, basic salad, and beverages were consumed freely in a dining setting on 4 separate occasions. Intake and liking ratings for hash browns were recorded after the lunch. In both studies, detection and recognition thresholds for NaCl were not associated with perceived saltiness, liking, or intake of hash browns. Liking and perceived salt taste intensity of hash browns were correlated (r = 0.547 P < 0.01), and in study 1 the 220 mg sodium hash brown was most liked (P < 0.05). In study 2, there was no association between Na concentration and liking or consumption of hash browns. In summary, liking of hash browns were influenced by whether testing was in a lab or dining room environment. In a dining room environment, large decreases (>50%) of sodium content of food were achievable with only minor decrease in liking and no effect on consumption of the food.